Convention Wrap-Up

Peace, Love, and Phi Sigma Sigma: IMAGINE

Convention 2011 was a huge success!

On the cusp of Phi Sigma Sigma’s Centennial celebration, collegiate and alumnae members convened in Orlando for their last Convention before the historic celebration in 2013. While the focus of every Convention is to address Fraternity business, it also provides the opportunity to reflect, plan, and dream for the future of our beloved Fraternity. This year was no different!

Among the many items of business accomplished, the Convention body elected the 2011-2013 Supreme Council, approved select constitutional changes, and adopted resolutions. In fact, the business of the Fraternity was completed in record time due to the integration of technology! For the first time ever, delegates voted via individual handheld devices. This was by far the favorite Convention addition.

Delegates were also treated to a thought-provoking keynote session on ritual with North-American Interfraternity Conference President Pete Smithhisler that challenged sisters to think about how we live ritual, each and every day! Following Pete’s presentation, collegiate and alumnae members met for roundtable discussions about Phi Sigma Sigma’s ritual. The roundtable topics included favorite ritual ceremonies, traditions vs. ritual, and what Fraternity members would like to see changed and/or improved upon within our current ritual.

Friday night focused on the academic and philanthropic achievements of our sisters over the past year, with the highly anticipated Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation dinner. Collegiate and alumnae sisters were awarded scholarships and need based educational grants. Donors and chapters were recognized for their significant contributions to the Foundation. The evening concluded with the ever famous Foundation Live Auction and new this year, bingo, a creative way to distribute prizes donated by sisters in support of the Foundation. The 2011 Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation scholarship and grant recipients can be found here.

Throughout the weekend, the amazing accomplishments of our chapters, collegiate sisters, and alumnae sisters were recognized. Several new awards were announced this year. Three of these were also awarded – the Fraternity Service Award (which recognizes volunteers and staff for their service at five year intervals), the Emerging Leader Award (established in honor of Past Grand Archon Sandy Grossman, which recognizes an alumna who makes a significant contribution to the Fraternity in her first three years of volunteer service), and the Collegiate Chapter Technology Award (which recognizes the chapter that best uses technology to further the perpetuity of the chapter). Also announced was an award that was established in honor of past Grand Vice Archon-Finance Melanie Boone (which, beginning next year, will recognize alumnae mentors).

The weekend concluded with the Sphinx Banquet on Saturday night. The evening included remarks from our new grand archon, who challenged sisters to be visionary leaders and to pay their positive experiences forward. The banquet also included the presentation of the Fraternity’s highest honors. A complete list of the 2011 award winners can be found here. Congratulations to all of the deserving winners, your commitment to Aim High is inspiring.